[01.10.2016] 200 Dominican friars, sisters, laity, nuns, priest associates and youth, ministering in 50 countries in all corners of the world, gathered in Salamanca, Spain, September 1-5, 2016, to reflect on how our Dominican Family can renew its mission through the promotion and defense of human rights. One of the participants was Bernhard Kohl OP, member of the Promotion Team Justice and Peace of the Dominican Province of Teutonia, Germany (Institut M.-Dominique Chenu Berlin).

Hearing from a Dominican historian, participants reflected on the history of Dominican engagement in the human rights arena, even before the development of the term “human rights.” After hearing about the Church’s view on human rights, the group was challenged to look at obstacles that prevent the defending of human rights being integral to Dominican preaching. Along with presenters sharing about Dominican involvement today, others highlighted key global human rights challenges in our time.